PublicationsInsights on Current Policy Issues

This memorandum will provide a survey of federal action on cryptocurrencies (aka virtual currencies), including enforcement and guidance. At present, some federal regulators have begun asserting oversight and enforcement authority under their existing powers while other potential regulators have not yet indicated publicly what, if any, oversight they will exercise. Other federal stakeholders on cryptocurrencies have also begun to engage. However, the U.S. government’s approach to virtual currencies remains fluid.

This memorandum will provide a survey of federal action on cryptocurrencies (aka virtual currencies), including enforcement and guidance. At present, some federal regulators have begun asserting oversight and enforcement authority under their existing powers while other potential regulators have not yet indicated publicly what, if any, oversight they will exercise. Other federal stakeholders on cryptocurrencies have also begun to engage. However, the U.S. government’s approach to virtual currencies remains fluid.

This memorandum will provide a survey of federal action on cryptocurrencies (aka virtual currencies), including enforcement and guidance. At present, some federal regulators have begun asserting oversight and enforcement authority under their existing powers while other potential regulators have not yet indicated publicly what, if any, oversight they will exercise. Other federal stakeholders on cryptocurrencies have also begun to engage. However, the U.S. government’s approach to virtual currencies remains fluid.

Today's Daily Update

The Senate will resume consideration of Michael Scudder to be Judge for the 7th Circuit.

THE HOUSE

Friday

The House was not in session.

Today

The House is not in session.

THE SENATE

Friday

The Senate was not in session.

Today

The Senate stands adjourned until 3:00pm on Monday, May 14, 2018.

Following leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of Executive Calendar #780, Michael Scudder, of Illinois, to be Judge for the 7th Circuit.

At 5:30pm, Monday, May 14th, there will be two roll call votes on confirmation of the Scudder and St. Eve nominations. At 12:00 noon, Tuesday, May 15, there will be two roll call votes on confirmation of the Carson and Nalbandian nominations.

At 5:30pm on Monday, May 14th – 2 roll call votes

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #780, Michael Scudder, of Illinois, to be Judge for the 7th Circuit

2) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #781, Amy St. Eve, of Illinois, to be Judge for the 7th Circuit

At 12:00 noon on Tuesday, May 15th – 2 roll call votes

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #729, Joel Carson III, of New Mexico, to be Judge for the 10th Circuit

2) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #777, John Nalbandian, of Kentucky, to be Judge for the 6th Circuit.

Hearings Covered by W&J Today

No hearings scheduled.

Notable Legislation Introduced

Financial Services

H.R.5783 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)To provide a safe harbor for financial institutions that maintain a customer account at the request of a Federal or State law enforcement agency.Sponsor: Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2] (Introduced 05/11/2018) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House - Financial ServicesLatest Action: House - 05/11/2018 Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Health

H.R.5782 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)To hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for illegal marketing and distribution of opioid products and for their role in creating and exacerbating the opioid epidemic in the United States.Sponsor: Rep. Gabbard, Tulsi [D-HI-2] (Introduced 05/11/2018) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House - Energy and Commerce, Education and the Workforce, Ways and Means, JudiciaryLatest Action: House - 05/11/2018 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as...

H.R.5779 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary to establish a technical expert panel for purposes of evaluating the use of opioid-related quality measures under the Medicare program.Sponsor: Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3] (Introduced 05/11/2018) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House - Ways and Means, Energy and CommerceLatest Action: House - 05/11/2018 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee...

H.R.5778 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for review and adjustment of payments under the Medicare outpatient prospective payment system to avoid financial incentives to use opioids instead of non-opioid alternative treatments, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Marchant, Kenny [R-TX-24] (Introduced 05/11/2018) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House - Energy and Commerce, Ways and MeansLatest Action: House - 05/11/2018 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee...

H.R.5777 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make available on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website opioid prescribing guidance applicable to individuals entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B of the Medicare program and update such guidance periodically.Sponsor: Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16] (Introduced 05/11/2018) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House - Ways and Means, Energy and CommerceLatest Action: House - 05/11/2018 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee...

H.R.5776 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)To amend title XVIII to provide for Medicare coverage of ceratin services furnished by opioid treatment programs, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1] (Introduced 05/11/2018) Cosponsors: (3)Committees: House - Energy and Commerce, Ways and MeansLatest Action: House - 05/11/2018 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee...

H.R.5775 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require Medicare Advantage plans and part D prescription drug plans to include information on the risks associated with opioids, coverage of certain nonopioid treatments used to treat pain, and on the safe disposal of prescription drugs, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3] (Introduced 05/11/2018) Cosponsors: (3)Committees: House - Ways and Means, Energy and CommerceLatest Action: House - 05/11/2018 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee...

H.R.5774 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop guidance on pain management and opioid use disorder prevention for hospitals receiving payment under part A of the Medicare program, provide for opioid quality measures development, and provide for a technical expert panel on reducing surgical setting opioid use and data collection on perioperative opioid use, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Curbelo, Carlos [R-FL-26] (Introduced 05/11/2018) Cosponsors: (3)Committees: House - Ways and Means, Energy and CommerceLatest Action: House - 05/11/2018 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee...

H.R.5773 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require Medicare prescription drug plans to establish drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries, require electronic prior authorization for covered part D drugs, and to provide for other program integrity measures under parts C and D of the Medicare program.Sponsor: Rep. Roskam, Peter J. [R-IL-6] (Introduced 05/11/2018) Cosponsors: (3)Committees: House - Energy and Commerce, Ways and MeansLatest Action: House - 05/11/2018 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee...

PublicationsInsights on Current Policy Issues

This memorandum will provide a survey of federal action on cryptocurrencies (aka virtual currencies), including enforcement and guidance. At present, some federal regulators have begun asserting oversight and enforcement authority under their existing powers while other potential regulators have not yet indicated publicly what, if any, oversight they will exercise. Other federal stakeholders on cryptocurrencies have also begun to engage. However, the U.S. government’s approach to virtual currencies remains fluid.

This memorandum will provide a survey of federal action on cryptocurrencies (aka virtual currencies), including enforcement and guidance. At present, some federal regulators have begun asserting oversight and enforcement authority under their existing powers while other potential regulators have not yet indicated publicly what, if any, oversight they will exercise. Other federal stakeholders on cryptocurrencies have also begun to engage. However, the U.S. government’s approach to virtual currencies remains fluid.

This memorandum will provide a survey of federal action on cryptocurrencies (aka virtual currencies), including enforcement and guidance. At present, some federal regulators have begun asserting oversight and enforcement authority under their existing powers while other potential regulators have not yet indicated publicly what, if any, oversight they will exercise. Other federal stakeholders on cryptocurrencies have also begun to engage. However, the U.S. government’s approach to virtual currencies remains fluid.